The poor negro, who was perhaps somewhat the worse for the wine remnants left by the Arlington’s Christmas guests, was overwhelmed with confusion, and, quickly extending the other package, explained that he had made a mistake between the two, and asked Miss Trevennon rather helplessly to see if this one was not addressed to herself. It proved to be so; and though, under the circumstances, Margaret would have preferred not to touch it, she was compelled to take it and dismiss the man, which she did somewhat curtly. She did not examine her parcel until she reached her own room, and even then she tossed it on the bed, and removed her wraps and hat and put them away before she untied the string which bound it. Once she thought she would put it out of sight until to-morrow, but, despite her disfavor toward the giver, she had a young lady’s natural curiosity as to the gift, and so she presently took it up and untied it. A little note fell out. It was dated Christmas morning at nine, and ran: “I am just leaving for Baltimore, under a pledge to spend to-day with Amy and the children. I have been more than disappointed--_hurt_ at missing you, both when I called and at the theatre last evening. I did not know you had been present, until I heard it by accident, after we had left. It had not at all entered into my calculations to forego the pleasure of taking leave of you in person, and I propose to get the better of fate by returning in a day or two for this purpose. “Merry Christmas, dear Daisy, and all good wishes for the coming year! Who knows what it may have in store for us? “Wear my little present sometimes for the sake of yours devotedly, A. D.” “So much for note number one!” said Margaret. “It would be interesting to have a glance at note number two, which I have no doubt is equally tender and gracious.” She took up the little leather case and opened it, revealing a beautiful locket. In spite of herself, she could not withhold a tribute to her cousin’s taste. The workmanship and design of this little ornament were so effective and so uncommon that she felt sure Alan must have gone to some trouble about it, and most likely had it made expressly for her. “He _is_ kind,” she said, regretfully. “It _was_ good of him to go back to Baltimore, in order that Amy and the children should not be disappointed. I almost wish I had not made this new discovery about him; but no, no, no! It would have been dreadful to be ignorant of the real truth of the matter.” It occurred to her now to open the locket and, on doing so, her cousin’s high-bred face looked out. The very sight of it made her recoil inwardly. How well she remembered the look of these same eyes, as they had been bent upon Mrs. Vere, with an expression she would have liked to forget. What right had he to expect her to wear his picture? Why should she?